South Korea is the first country to commercially launch 5G networks. This allows South Korean start-ups upper hand in 5G-based ventures. Mobile technologies, AI and Blockchain are main areas that could benefit from this head start
Having a strong technologic background and a tech-savvy consumer base South Korean start-up investments topped $3 billion in 2018.
South Korea has a versatile Venture Capital market with POSCO Venture Capital, Korea Investment Markets, Altos Venture and Stonebridge Ventures among others. South Korean government also created a venture fund of $3 billion in 2015 and pledged a further $9 billion in 2017. SK Telecom is also another major investor in tech start-ups
Seoul is the major hub both for venture capital funds, angel investors and naturally for entrepreneurs. It is home for 6 unicorns namely Coupang, Bluehole, Yello Mobile, Woowa Brothers, L&P Cosmetics and Viva Republica with a total market value of $23.5 billion.